Assessing exercise capacity using telehealth: a feasibility study in adults with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Provision of healthcare from a remote site may assist patients to access important services. We aimed to establish the feasibility of monitoring an assessment of exercise capacity using telehealth technology.

Methods: Adults with CF completed two 3-min step tests, monitored in-person or remotely via videoconferencing, in randomized order. Measurements were physiological responses to exercise, system usability, ease of clinician interaction, metronome acoustics, and participant comfort.

Results: Ten adults (5 male), mean ± SD age 32 ± 7 years, and FEV1 55.4% of predicted (range 38-90% of predicted), completed both tests. Participants reported good system usability, with a mean (95% CI) System Usability Scale score of 85.63 out of 100 (79.8-91.5). Metronome acoustics were rated as significantly poorer remotely (P = .006). There were no differences in measurements of oxyhemoglobin saturation or heart rate between assessment settings.

Conclusion: Exercise capacity assessment using the 3-min step test is feasible and accurate via remote videoconferencing in adults with CF.